Although the Porsolt Forced Swim Test remains one of the most widely used behavioral test for screening antidepressants, the modification suggested by S. Nomura et alia in their paper of 1982 introduces an objective measurement, the number of rotations, as it involves a small water wheel set in a water tank, overcoming the bias intrinsic to Porsolt’s method. In fact, automatically scored wheel rotations directly correspond to active escape attempts.

“... this water wheel test is more appropriate as screening test for antidepressants than Porsolt’s test with regard to both objectivity and specificity.” (Nomura et al.)

In the habituation phase, the rodent is left for 5 minutes to explore the tank, and will identify the wheel as a possible escape way. The wheel rotates freely. During the test proper: mice turn the wheel vigorously and when they give up attempts to escape from the water, the wheel stops revolving and the number of rotations are recorded.

The FST 40803 includes rotation encoder & temperature sensor. The device connects to the PC via a USB cable provided as standard. up to 40 units can be connected to the same PC via a USB hub. A Forced Swim specific mode of ANY-maze (60000-FST), also included in the full license, collects the information from the electronics, automatically scores number of rotations and performs statistical analysis.

FEATURE

BENEFIT

High Throughput

Automate up to 40 tests, simultaneously

Automated scoring of wheel rotations

Eliminates subjectivity of immobility measurement

Connection to PC via USB (or USB hub)

Data collection and analysis via ANY-maze

Temperature sensor included

Continuous water temperature feedback

General

Power Supply

USB (connection to PC)

Scoring

via rotation encoder (CW & CCW rotations)

Temperature feedback

Temperature sensor

Data collection & analysis

via ANYmaze FST module

Operating Temperature

10° to 40°C

Sound Level

Negligible

Pollution Degree

≤ 2

Physical

Dimensions

24(w)x12(d)x21(h)cm

Weight

2,4Kg

Shipping Weight

3.5Kg

Packing Dimensions

29x26x29cm

Warranty

40803 is covered by a 24-month warranty

“A depressed state can be induced in mice by forcing them to swim in a narrow cylinder from which they cannot escape. After a brief period of vigorous activity the mice adopt a characteristic immobile posture which is readily identifiable” (Porsolt et al.).

In other words, mice forced to swim in a restricted space rapidly cease moving and become lethargic. Porsolt et al. named this phenomenon ‘behavioral despair’, and demonstrated that antidepressants selectively reduced the immobility.

The modification suggested by S. Nomura et alia in their paper of 1982 involves a small water wheel set in a water tank, to provide an objective measurement (number of rotations) and overcome the bias intrinsic to Porsolt’s method.

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